Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.
CHAPTER 6: Facing the Truth
¨How is she, doctor? ¨ asked Lex, when the man shut the guest room door.
¨I agree with the lady´s physician, Mr Luthor. She´s under a lot of stress. Everybody reacts to stressful situations in a different way. I´m going to prescribe her something to settle her stomach, but she only needs to rest. Make sure she drinks plenty of liquids. If she wakes up hungry, let her have something light: toast or soda biscuits will do, ¨answered the physician, picking up his overcoat and his bag.
¨I´ll see to everything. Thanks for coming over, doctor, ¨said Lex, shaking his hand at the door.
¨Don´t hesitate to call again, Mr Luthor. Goodnight. ¨
¨Goodnight, doctor, ¨greeted Lex before closing the front door.
The younger Luthor ran a hand over his scalp in despair. Why was it that every time he thought he had everything under control, the unexpected happened and put his life upside down? He had stayed in Metropolis that night to put things into perspective. He needed some time alone, away from the haunting thoughts of Chloe, Lana´s emotional demands and Lionel´s sudden interest in 33.1. Lex´s plan, however, had turned awry when the object of his romantic obsession chose to take a solitary walk around Metropolis.
He poured himself a tumbler of bourbon and lifted it up to his mouth, his lips twitched as he remembered her words on the lift. Maybe she was right. He had forgotten what it was like to really taste a drink without swallowing it in an attempt to shut out the voices in his head. He set the untouched tumbler down on the bar, turned off the lights and walked down the corridor to his room.
He went past Chloe´s bedroom and, all of a sudden, retraced his steps. He hesitated for a few minutes in front of the door before plucking the courage to grab the doorknob and open it just a crack. From the doorway he could see Chloe lying asleep on her right side. She looked adorable in one of his purple dress shirts and Lex felt a tug at his heart. He watched her sleeping form and wondered what it was she saw in him for he knew damn well he was no innocent and tender-hearted Clark.
¨Goodnight, Chloe, ¨ murmured Lex.
¨Lex, ¨mumbled a sleepy Chloe, fluttering her eyes open.
¨Everything´s fine, Chloe. Go back to sleep, ¨ he answered reassuringly, starting to shut the door.
¨Wait! ¨said Chloe, trying to sit up.
¨Do you want me to fetch you something, Chloe? Dr Robson said you should drink lots of liquid to stay well hydrated, ¨he responded, approaching the bed. ¨ I´ll bring you some juice, ¨he added, turning to leave.
¨I don´t want anything to drink, Lex, ¨she said, taking one of his hands and feeling her eyes turn watery.
¨Chloe..., ¨he begged her, ¨I can´t give you what you want. ¨
¨Why not? ¨she asked chokingly. ¨What has she got that I haven´t? ¨
¨Don´t do that, Chloe, ¨he pleaded, holding her gaze and sitting down on her bed. ¨It´s not a question of what she´s got that you haven´t. ¨
¨What is it, then? ¨she asked, letting her tears trail down her cheeks. ¨I don´t understand. You love me. I know you do. ¨
¨That´s precisely why this can´t be. ¨
¨Don´t you dare play the martyr with me, Lex Luthor. Is this your idea of a grand gesture? A sacrifice to save me from the big bad wolf? I´m a big girl, Lex, in case you haven´t noticed, ¨she shouted, grabbing him tightly by the shirt.
¨I´m just trying to protect you, Chloe, ¨he answered, taking her by the wrists.
¨I´m not Lana, Lex. I´m not a brittle piece of china that might get broken if it´s not handled with care. ¨
¨You´re my Achilles´ heel, Chloe, and that puts you in an extremely vulnerable position. ¨
¨And what if I don´t care? ¨ she asked, getting closer to him.
¨You don´t know what you´re saying, ¨ he answered, cupping her face in both hands.
¨What are you afraid of, Lex? ¨ she asked, fastening her green eyes on his grey-blue ones.
¨This is what I´m afraid of, ¨he answered, lowering his mouth to meet hers in a passionate kiss.
She tasted sweet, almost innocent, and Lex revelled in her inexperience. He tugged her lower lip softly and let her get used to him before the tip of his tongue claimed entrance to her mouth. He heard her moan and she returned the kiss with ardour. What she lacked in experience, she compensated with feeling, and Lex knew there would never be another woman who could make him feel like she did with just a kiss. Reluctantly, he finished it, tasting the salty tears on her lips.
¨I´m terrified of hurting you, Chloe, as I know I will if we ever get together. Every woman I´ve ever loved has ended up dead, and I´m way too deep in filth to be able to protect you. ¨
¨ What about Lana? Aren´t you afraid for her? ¨
¨It´s different, Chloe. I can handle Lana. ¨
¨You mean you can manipulate her, ¨she said bitterly.
¨Manipulation´s synonymous with Luthor, Chloe. You know it better than anybody. My father tried it on you and almost got you killed. You know yourself, Chloe. You´re curious by nature and not easily deterred. I´d never ask you to give up your profession to preserve you from harm if you got to close to the truth surrounding my dealings. You were right the other day. I can lie to Lana because I´m damn good at it- my father´s seen to that- but you can see through me and that scares me witless. ¨
¨Drop 33.1, Lex, ¨ she entreated him.
¨It´s too late, Chloe. I´m beyond redemption, ¨he said, getting up.
¨It´s never too late, Lex, ¨she sobbed, linking his fingers with hers.
¨You deserve better, Chloe, ¨he answered matter-of-factly, letting go of her fingers.
¨I don´t want better, ¨she looked him squarely in the eye.
¨Goodnight, Chloe, and rest. My chauffeur´ll drive you wherever you want tomorrow, ¨he finished, shutting the bedroom door firmly, but gently, behind him.
¨I hate you, Lex Luthor! ¨she screamed, smashing the alarm clock against the door, before dissolving in tears.
The following chapter´s short but necessary to see what our two favourite characters are thinking the morning after?